Braves’ Heyward Takes Next Step Toward Return

The slumping Atlanta Braves want badly to get Jason Heyward back atop their lineup and took unusual measures Wednesday to enable him to take the next step in his return from a broken jaw.

The Braves had minor league pitcher Mark Lamm fly to Washington from his home in Nashville just to throw about 30 pitches of batting practice to Heyward the first time he hit against an actual pitcher since having his jaw broken by a 90-mph fastball from Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese on Aug. 21.

“Good to get that going good to see something coming from a (pitcher’s) arm and off a mound” said Heyward who began taking batting practice Friday but until Wednesday had only faced coaches throwing 50-55 mph from behind a screen on flat ground in front of the mound.